Reading secure promotion to Premier League with win over Forest

Reading have secured promotion to the Premier League after their 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Madejski Stadium.

Mikele Leigertwood’s goal ensured Reading will be playing Premier League football next year (Picture: Action Images)

Brian McDermott’s table-topping Royals needed to better whatever result third-placed West Ham managed at relegation-threatened Bristol City to guarantee promotion with two games to spare before the end of the season.

Morale was high ahead of the game with supporters cheering ‘we are going up’ before kick-off, while news of the Hammers’ 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Bristol City lifted the atmosphere further.

With just nine minutes remaining, Mikele Leigertwood’s header looked to have sealed Premiership status for the Royals, but a late scare raised fears the celebrations might have to be put on ice.

Fortunately for Reading, Forest substitute Marcus Tudgay’s header was cleared off the line by Alex Pearce with the striker’s follow-up effort being kept out by Adam Federici deep into injury time.

Reading have now become the first team to win promotion to the Premier League with their sixth successive, their eighth in a row at home and their fifteenth in the last 17 games.

Their team’s impressive form which has seen them leapfrog long-time leaders Southampton at the summit, and the Royals are now three points ahead of Southampton in the race to win the Championship.